Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has insisted that one of his teammates is always “running” and “fighting” for Ruben Amorim’s side after a turbulent season.
The Red Devils ended the 2024-25 campaign at Old Trafford in 15th place in the table, which is the worst finish for Manchester United in the Premier League era.
United’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final and poor Premier League form ensured that the club failed in their bid to secure European football.
Ruben Amorim is facing a summer rebuild of the United first-team squad ahead of the 2025-26 season, with the Red Devils out of Europe in the forthcoming campaign.
Joshua Zirkzee signed off his debut season at Old Trafford and the 24-year-old United striker struggled with his impact in the final third for Amorim’s men.
The Netherlands international only netted seven times and picked up three assists in 49 matches across all competitions for United after arriving from Bologna in 2024.
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Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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What Joshua Zirkzee said about Bruno Fernandes after Man Utd’s 2024-25 season speaks volumes about Ruben Amorim’s key player
Bruno Fernandes’ influence — and importance — on the Manchester United team could not have been more visible in the Red Devils’ disappointing campaign.
The 30-year-old United captain scored 19 times and also registered 19 assists in 57 matches for Ruben Amorim’s men in the 2024-25 season at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes moved level with David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo for the most Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards after scooping the prize for a fourth time.
Joshua Zirkzee hailed the impact that the Portugal international had at the Premier League club last season and how Fernandes is “always talking” on the pitch.
“I think everyone knows how much more difficult this season could have been without Bruno,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“A great player. For the big player that he is, he’s still so humble and normal. You can always joke around with him. He’s always talking.
“As a teammate on the pitch, he might scream at you, but there will never be a moment where he will disrespect you.”
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Joshua Zirkzee shares a special quality that Bruno Fernandes has in his role as Man Utd captain under manager Ruben Amorim
Fernandes retained the United captain’s armband under Amorim and Zirkzee pointed out that the Portugal star having any player’s “back” shows his quality as a skipper.
“He will always have your back, and that’s exactly what a captain is supposed to do,” Zirkzee continued.
“He does everything for the team: running, fighting. Everything is for the team and that I respect so much.
“Not the greatest Uno player, but a couple more trips and he’ll improve! [laughs] But Bruno is a very special player.”
Al Hilal were linked with Fernandes in recent weeks, but the Portugal international has since come out and ruled out a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.